A video decoder is configured to decode a bitstream that comprises an encoded representation of video data. As part of decoding the bitstream, the video decoder obtains, from the bitstream, one or more syntax elements indicating one or more partitioning schemes. For each respective partitioning scheme of the one or more partitioning schemes, the respective partitioning scheme specifies a respective set of disjoint partitions whose union forms an output layer set. Each respective partition of the respective set of disjoint partitions contains one or more of the layers. The video decoder is further configured to decode each of the partitions of a particular partitioning scheme using different processing cores in a plurality of hardware cores, the particular partitioning scheme being one of the one or more partitioning schemes.